The Goat Tower (and much more)
1968 N 2500 E Rd, Windsor, IL 61957
Get there with Google Maps by clicking HERE
Date Visited: 03/19/2010
Sometimes, you hit the jackpot!!!
I did it on Friday (March 19, 2010). I met David Johnson, owner of the “Goat Tower.” He tells me that there are other names for the tower, such as “The Tower of Baaaaa” (which is how I found it), that were given to the structure by others. Apparently, he doesn’t really have a name for it. It is just there to serve a purpose, a refuge for the goats.
Turns out that goats are natural-born climbers and they love this stuff. Even though, during my stay, we couldn’t entice them all the way onto the external staircase.
If I were given to plagiarism, I could post a pic here of the goats on the steps, as this site is actually quite popular on the internet.
The tower was constructed by the late Jack Cloe along with all of the brickwork on the property. Jack (and his sons) were lured out of retirement by Mr. Johnson to do the work. The bricks used on the property are all unique, each one is “hand hewn,” slightly different in shape and size. Jack told the owner, at the time of construction, it was like “laying footballs.” The result, however, is beautiful and unique. The tower was completed first and Mr. Johnson liked it so much that he had the house and the garage done in the same style. I believe Mr. Johnson also had a fireplace and chimney built for a cabin as well. No cabin yet, but the custom brickwork fireplace and chimney are done.
The reference to the “jackpot” in the first line of this post was meeting the owner, David Johnson (and briefly, his wife).
I was standing outside the property, on a rural road, taking photos (like this one) when approached by Mrs. Johnson, in her vehicle. Ready to issue an apology for my intrusion, Mrs. Johnson surprised me by inviting me onto the property for a closer look! She told me she would phone her husband to let him know I was going to take some photos. She also said that I should expect him to come to speak to me. He did… and he was a wonderful, incredibly interesting host!!! The friendliness, attitude, and willingness to share are the jackpot I found during that visit!
The goat tower was only one of several topics Mr. Johnson and I tackled that afternoon. During my research, I located 3 such towers, one in South Africa (which inspired this one by Mr. Anderson after seeing it in a wine magazine, “Decanter”) and one in Norway, modeled after Mr. Johnson’s. According to Mr. Johson, there is at least a fourth, or more accurately a first, in Portugal, which was the inspiration for the South African location. This goat tower, at 31 feet tall and 7 feet in diameter is the largest.
The Anheiser_Busch Birds
There are also sculptures of egrets (somebody correct me if I have misidentified these birds) on the chimney of the home. But, these aren’t just any old egrets, these are the same ones used by Auggie Busch, of Anheiser-Busch fame. Because the sculptures were originally commissioned by Mr. Auggie Busch, himself, special permission was required by the maker before Mr. Johnson could acquire his egrets. Papers and releases had to be signed, including promises that Mr. Johnson would not go into the beer business, and eventually, he was granted permission to own the sculptures.
The Lithophone
As I was about to leave this wonderful home and end my visit, Mr. Johnson asked if I had seen the “musical stones”. I hadn’t, of course, as they were basically laying flat in the yard. As a sort of finale, I got to see and HEAR these stones. I wish I were set up for audio so you could hear these “rocks.” According to Mr. Johnson, they came from a sculptor in France. I’m not sure what goes into the different tones (weight, mass, shape, etc.) but each of them has a unique pitch and tone. They can be played much like a xylophone.
The size of these stones is not apparent in the photos. They are black granite and the approximate total size is about 6 feet wide by 4 feet deep (as shown). The stones produce a clear, pure tone. The tone is the same throughout the stone, whether you strike it on the polished or unfinished surfaces. I had never even “heard” (pardon the pun) of such a thing and did find references on the internet to some similar stones from years ago called the “Musical Stones of Skiddaw“.
All in all, this was one of the most enjoyable visits to date. We learned a lot about the Goat Tower and bonus material was provided. But, most importantly, the wonderful friendliness of our host was incredible.
Thank you for your kindness, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.
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Thanks again!
Joe
